Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Colossus: A Novel
The Colossus: A Novel

Chapter XXV

Cover illustration for The Colossus: A Novel
Context Illustration Reading 1/29 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
IMPATIENTLY WAITING.
While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.
At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.
I am prepared."
He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Colossus: A Novel

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/29 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
IMPATIENTLY WAITING.
Line 2
While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.
Line 3
At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.
Line 4
I am prepared."
Line 5
He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Asked noun US /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.”

Disgrace noun US /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

shame caused by unacceptable behaviour

From this reading “At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.”

WAITING noun US /ˈwaiting/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “IMPATIENTLY WAITING.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading I am prepared."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

askednounUS /asked/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

AtprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

back

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

bed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

begged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

brief

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

caught

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

clothes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

Colossus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

coming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

dark

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

dimply

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

disgracenounUS /dɪsˈɡreɪs/

shame caused by unacceptable behaviour

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

Don't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

early

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

fancied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

get

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

glint

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I am prepared."

IMPATIENTLY

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IMPATIENTLY WAITING.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

keep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

lake

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

night

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

papers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

periods

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

prepared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading I am prepared."

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

reading

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

remain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

sleep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

sun

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

troubled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

try

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

WAITING

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading IMPATIENTLY WAITING.

wanted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

wife

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He wanted to get up and put on his clothes, but his wife begged him to remain in bed.

Witherspoon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.

wreck

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading At brief periods of troubled sleep during the night he had fancied that he was reading of the wreck of the Colossus and of his own disgrace: and when he was told that the papers had not come, that it was too early for them, he said: "Don't try to keep them back.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading While it was yet dark, and long before the dimply lake had caught a glint from the coming sun, Witherspoon asked for the morning papers.